While we’re still months out from SLEEPY HOLLOW returning to our television screens, the writers are currently hard at work crafting the upcoming third season. And though the second season went through a few rough spots, the writers are aiming to go back to what worked, versus trying to completely reinvent the show.

“I don’t think it should feel as much as changes, as a return to what we loved in season 1,” SLEEPY HOLLOW executive producer Heather Kadin shared. “Obviously there are changes in the sense Katrina’s not there, Henry’s not there, Irving’s not there. But we really want to bring back the fun in the relationship between Abbie and Crane.”

“I think the big focus is going to be, how do we get back to what people love?” she continued. “How do we give Abbie a real journey? How do we give Crane a real journey? How are those things both independent and complimentary of one another? And we also have to expand the world, so what are we saying about Sleepy Hollow as a place, as a mythology, but also telling closed-ended stories?”

“I don’t know if it’s going to be more [episodic], because if you go back to season 1, there’s definitely a case of the week element,” she pointed out. “The ideal is to find the balance we found in season 1. It’ll probably be a little more case of the week [at times] because we have more episodes. But it should never feel like — and I’m actually a fan of GRIMM, so it’s not a dig — but it shouldn’t feel like GRIMM; we want to be distinguished. There were some episodes we did this past season that felt like it could have been on any monster of the week show. And that’s always the trick: putting it through the SLEEPY HOLLOW filter of why is it weird, why is it out there?”

The series will once again also have an expanded season — 18 episodes, matching the total for season 2 — which in itself can be a challenge.

“I think 18 was more difficult, yes, because a show like that is hard to do with 18 episodes,” Kadin said. “But I also think in season 1, we knew in the pilot, he was going to have a son who’s older; we knew all of that. And in season 2 — I think season 2 of a lot of shows is harder. I’m not making excuses, because we definitely lost our way. I think what’s great is our first baby, who we love so much. We were actually all in the room today — [SLEEPY HOLLOW co-creators] Alex [Kurtzman] and Len [Wiseman], and I were there with the co-EPs, and [new showrunner] Clifton Campbell, and it’s so much fun there, and there’s so much great stuff. I think fans will be happy. I think towards the end [of season 2], fans got happy again, because they realized we course-corrected.”

And like last year, the season will lead up to a midseason finale event. “I think what we did last year, where we had a midseason finale, we’re going to do that again,” Kadin said. “We’re writing towards that.”

With Abbie and Ichabod’s main foes taken out last year, season 3 will present an opportunity for a new enemy to make itself known.

“There is going to be a Big Bad,” Kadin previewed. “It’ll have a couple of entities [working for it]. But you’ll definitely have a very clear understanding of there being a Big Bad. Obviously, the plan will be a little bit more of the history of what that [big bad] is up to, but we’ll peel that back as we go.”

Who Abbie and Ichabod have on their side during that fight is still a bit up in the air. With Orlando Jones’ (Irving) exit — “We tried really hard to have him be present,” Kadin lamented. “I don’t know if it’s going to happen, which is a huge bummer.” — Lyndie Greenwood’s Jenny “is going to factor pretty prominently, and there’s going to be some new people coming in.” And the show will take its time figuring out who to bring into the mix.

“I think right now we’re focused on how to mine the Crane and Abbie relationship as much as possible,” Kadin shared. “That’s going to be the focus. And then before we bring people into their lives, make sure it’s people we have a really good reason to bring in.”

Comments

After reading this I feel that the writers will get it right this time, I feel Happy about Sleepy Hollow again.

Megaera on
May 22nd, 2015 4:26 pm

I’m just as glad about Katrina and Henry’s exit, but darn, I’m going to miss Irving, even though I think the reason Orlando Jones left was because the show really screwed up his character’s arc (*I’d* have been really frustrated if I was him, anyway).

Joan on
May 22nd, 2015 4:40 pm

After the losses of Katrina and Henry my expectations are nil. Now, with Frank leaving I fear it’s just going to turn into a “will they/won’t they”‘ which is one of the things they had going for it. With Katrina there, we had a relationship, so there was no need for the tired, old cliche. Really disappointed by these turns of events.

Wow!! Thank you, Ms. Kadin! This is so frank, and shows such respect for all the fans’ concerns! I feel really excited about Season 3 now. Thanks so much Sleepy Hollow EPs and writers! You guys rock!

Jake on
May 22nd, 2015 10:27 pm

Really excited about this, looking forward to Season 3 with our trio of Ichy, Abbie and Jenny!

Ruki on
May 23rd, 2015 12:06 am

@Joan, your response is typical of Ichabod/Katrina fans. Instead of feeling satisfied that the creators acknowledged the problems with the current season, and by Kadin’s own honest admission we might see the show return to season 1 glory, your concern is solely on whether Abbie and Ichabod will get together. Dress it up however you like by including Irving and Henry, but that is all you care about. You say an Abbie/Ichabod relationship would be a ‘tired, old cliché’ when the Cranes marriage and Katrina’s character was just one predictable and boring trope after another. It says it all really, if you can call a marriage filled with lies, deceit, was toxic, lacked trust, honesty and had no chemistry ‘a relationship’. Fans like you only wanted Katrina there as a roadblock to anything happening between the Witnesses, and failed to realise that her presence brought the plot to a grinding halt and gutted the central relationship that made the show work. Which is why Kadin wants to return focus to Abbie and Ichabod and THEIR relationship with bonus Jenny.

Melissa on
May 23rd, 2015 11:03 am

I’m looking forward to the new season, but I’m also terrified. The move to Thursday seemed as if the show was being put out to pasture w/Bones, but another Sleepyhead put the move in a different perspective for me. All in all, I see now that the move is ballsy but necessary.

The main issues now are getting the cast just right. Abbie &Ichabod will always be great and Jenny is also fantastic. However we need to breathe some new life in the show without detracting from our leads. The loyalists will be returning for sure, but please bring in BIG NAME guest stars to bring in new viewers. If a permanent position will be filled now that Irving is gone, why not a big name star to fill his shoes? Movie stars are coming to television now, so if you couch up the money it can be done. Pique the interest of the fans who left with this new person.

Most importantly HEAVY PROMO. We should see season twobepisodes reaired beforethe beginning of the new season. Sure, many of us would like to forget a good portion of last season but it’s still important to keep the story alive. As much as I disliked Katrina, season two started with a HUGE drop in ratings from the terrific season one numbers. Hype this show up and let people know it’s more than still relevant; it’s what everyone wants to watch.

Exposure through social media. Sleepy Hollow has millions more viewers than CW shows. We’ll use The Vampire Diaries as an example. Julie Plec, the creator of TVD, keeps fans engaged on Twitter constantly. If you google Sleepy Hollow right now, there’s NOTHING. No real news. We’re more than thirsty, we’re STARVING as loyal fans. We just keep each other engaged because we’re only getting breadcrumbs from stars/writers, etc. If you google TVD right now, there are a ton of posts on varying sites nearly every day. Sure, most of it is a bunch of silly conjecture, but it keeps the fans engaged. Nicole & Tom once did elaborate sexy photo shoots and were featured in different magazines; that’s ended for the most part. Neither seem to be big fans of social media, but we had Orlando. Now what? Someone mentioned to me yesterday that if you visit Tom’s Twitter page, you wouldn’t even know he’s an actor. Nicole sends a few cryptic messages out here and there, but there was so much drama regarding the Katrina issue that a handful of stans made it hard to interact. Now that that storyline is over, thankfully, I hope we see more of her.

I feel like Fox can make the Sleepy Hollow experience fabulous again if they just TRY. I’m grateful for the renewal, but I know this show can be more and revert to season one glory.

jane on
May 23rd, 2015 12:47 pm

I’m glad that they realize trying to throw “third wheels” into the leads dynamic doesn’t work. I hope that they truly do them both some justice this season and I will definitley be watching

dani on
May 23rd, 2015 7:37 pm

This is perfect! They understand exactly what went wrong.

carolyn on
May 24th, 2015 1:13 pm

Please bring back Ben Franklin I loved him and the way that he interacted with Abby on the last episode I also found it very amusing that Ichabod always seem irritated be him. I would love to see Ichabod on a plane, Abby could take him to England ,he should see what England looks like today I would love to see Abby and Ichabod transported to the future to see what the world will look like if they fail their mission. Please if possible give us Halloween special this is the type of show should have an episode dedicated to Halloween,American Horror Story had a Halloween special,season one, it was excellent it was creepy and funny at the same time the Sleepy Hollow writers could easily top it One last thing .. If you are going to turn Abby and Ichabod into romantic couple please handle it with care. Ichabod is an 18th century man if he was in love with a woman he would court her 18th century style, it would be slow and subtle and getting to know each other, there would be flowers ,music poetry, romantic gestures. NO SLOPPY SEX SCENES PLEASE ! This is not scandal ,Abby is not Olivia Pope and Ichabod is not the president. Abby is a lady… a very tough lady, but still a lady and Ichabod is a gentleman….THANK YOU FOR SEASON THREE.

boobookitty on
May 24th, 2015 11:36 pm

I’m really happy to read that Heather’s announcements seem to be in tune with fans’ wishes. I am also sad to see Orlando leave, but I totally understand why. They REALLY screwed over his character. I’ll follow where-ever he goes, though.

I am super-excited to see where they take the Ichabod and Abbie dynamic and I hope they don’t shy away from the same fun tropes I’ve seen countless other lead pairs successfully do with no complaints, because some people are uncomfortable with interracial relations. I feel like production unintentionally catered to that fearful bigoted segment of fans last season. Thankfully, they are few and far between, which is why the ratings tanked, but they are vocal.

It’s so rare to see a sweet, romantic, will-they-or-wont-they dynamic involving a black female lead actually amount to something sweet and cute like in Castle This is the only one I can think of, which is why people claiming it’s a cliche are full of malarky.

I have suggestion bring back Katrina. I wrote them that. make icabod evil

Sanji on
October 15th, 2015 7:10 pm

I’d like to see another guy thrown into the mix whose just as intelligent and quick witted as I Chabot but also likes Abbie. Why make it easy for Ichabod? Make the two guys vie for her feelings but in a tasteful and delicate way.